Not only that the Greenland shark has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrates with up to over 400 years, in fact, sharks and their relatives were the first vertebrate predators on Earth. Shark fossils date back more than 400 million years – that means sharks managed to outlive the dinosaurs, survive mass extinctions, and still are at the top of underwater food chain.
However, even as a generalist feeder, consuming a variety of available foods and adapted to living at depth, with climate change and human impact on the oceans the Greenland shark is facing some of the biggest threats right now.
We dedicate this expedition to this primeval creature and try to observe the sharks in their traditional habitat. A few years ago, we were able to observe how the sharks follow the scent trails when the Greenlandic hunters and fishermen return blood, blubber and fish remains to the sea as they go about their work.
This inspired us to start trying to see the sharks. Because although they actually live in unreachable depths, they come up to the water surface when food can be found here. In order to have the greatest possible chance of success, we therefore work closely with local hunters and fishermen.
Nevertheless, one must not forget that this is an expedition in which we want to observe wild animals in their habitat. So, there is never a guarantee as to whether or how many sharks you will see.
And even if we will focus for the sharks, of course we will also visit other dive sites as icebergs and pack ice – the visibilities underwater are often excellent.
To access the dive sites, we use snow mobiles and boats. Weather and temperatures can be extreme and there is a risk of weather-related loss of days with outdoor activities on this tour. Nevertheless, as a reward there are unbelievable experiences and extraordinary photo motives.
Team ability and physical fitness are basic qualities which every participant should bring!
This tour takes place in small groups of max. 8 divers!
Price per person
5,450 € / 40.900 DKK
Highlights
- Diving with Greenland sharks
- Diving at icebergs trapped in the pack ice
- Diving under ice and in crystal clear water
- Pack ice fields and open water
- Fantastic winter landscapes, mountains and fjords
- Often crystal clear water and visibility of up to 70 metres / 230 ft
- Dog sled trips with experienced Inuit musher possible
- Arctic life and interesting Inuit culture
- Helicopter flights over amazing arctic winter landscape possible
- Epic mountains, fjords and winter sceneries
- Arctic wildlife
- max. 8 divers per group
2027
- 17. March – 24. March
- 31. March – 7. April
- 7. April – 14. April
2028
- 8. March – 15. March
- 29. March – 5. April
Tour price INCLUDES the following services:
- Airport transfer in Kulusuk
- All accommodation in twin rooms at Hotel Kulusuk
- Breakfast and dinner
- “Non limit diving” on all diving days (subject to weather conditions and
compatibility with other activities – expect 2 dives per day in average) - Charter fees for boats (if ice condition allow boat diving)
- Tanks (with double valves) and weights
- All land excursions and activities according to tour plan
- Snacks and beverages during day trips
- German and English-speaking support
- All local baggage/equipment transfers
- Travel planning assistance
Tour price EXCLUDES the following services:
- Getting here/flights (incl. possible overnight stopovers)
- Single room supplements
- Any additional activities
- Lunch
- Beverages (tea, coffee and water included)
- Accommodation tax from 01.01.2026 (30 DKK pr. night, payable at the
Hotel Kulusuk) - Booking fee
- Insurance
- Gratuity
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs & tips
- All services that are not listed here as included
Arrival* is by plane from your home airport via Nuuk, Greenland. An overnight stay* is usually necessary here.
The following day, you will fly with Air Greenland from Nuuk (GOH) to Kulusuk (KUS) in East Greenland. The flight time is approximately two hours.
Flights can be booked at www.airgreenland.com. Flight delays and cancellations are possible in East Greenland – primarily due to fog and limited visibility in summer, and snow and storms in winter. Therefore, we recommend booking flexible tickets!
We will pick up our guests at Kulusuk Airport, from where it is a short transfer to Hotel Kulusuk.
*Flights, hotel stays, transfers, and activities before/after the tour are not included in the tour price! We accept no liability for delays or cancellations, any additional costs, etc., in accordance with our terms and conditions!
Please note: This itinerary only can be seen as an example. The complete tour depends on the weather and ice situation. It is very likely that plans have to be changed during the tour!
Day 1/Arrival day
Flight* from Nuuk to Kulusuk and transfer to the hotel. Moving into the rooms and preparing equipment after a briefing. Maybe an afternoon check dive (depends on arrival time) or a hike to the settlement of Kulusuk (about 30 to 40 min walk). Dinner.
Day 2
With snowmobiles we will explore the frozen bay and find our first dive site of this trip. Baits have been placed here days before. We hope to see Greenland sharks in the area, attracted by the bait. Usually the afternoon will be free for other activities. Dinner.
Day 3-6
The following days will be very much depending on the weather and ice situation in the area!
We will have diving days with dives under ice or in open water, from the ice edge or from the boat. The guides will be scouting the area every day to find the best dive sites. Also will it be always possible to choose from the accessible dive sites, as long as the buddy teams can agree on which dive sites they prefer to visit.
For the shark diving we might be limited by the number of baiting spots. In case we are not lucky finding the sharks around the bait we might also work with local fishermen, who often have sharks as by-catch on their long-lines. Often, they would not release the sharks to avoid having them on the hook again. However, when collaborating with them they will release in a way giving us a chance to join the sharks in the water.
Usually the afternoons will be free for other activities. Dinner.
Some evenings our guides will give interesting lectures about arctic wildlife and nature, as well as the impact of climate change and the life of the indigenous East Greenlanders (Tunumiit) which lived isolated from rest of the world until 1884.
Day 7
Diving day (depending on departure next day) or day for other activities, i.e. dog sled trip to Apusiaajik Glacier. Drying and packing of the equipment. Preparing for departure. Dinner.
Day 8/Departure day
Transfer to the airport and flight to Nuuk.
*Flights, hotel stays, transfers, and activities before/after the tour are not included in the tour price! We accept no liability for delays or cancellations, any additional costs, etc., in accordance with our terms and conditions!
The weather conditions during this tour can be challenging, or even extreme. It can cause extensive changes in the expedition course. Storm even might cause complete loss of diving days. Also the ice situation can affect decisively which areas/regions we can visit during the expedition and where we can dive.
The air temperatures mostly varies between-5°C and +5°C (20°F to 40°F). It can be snowing and be windy, also, nevertheless, it can be sunny and relatively mildly.
Unluckily, climate change is increasingly affecting the schedules of our tours. All participants must be aware that they are here in a high Arctic region – and thus also on one of the front lines of climate change. Not only have we seen rising water temperatures and earlier algae blooms in recent years, but also increasingly variable ice and snow conditions. This is why we adjusted this expedition from time to time to ensure that your stay is as safe and eventful as possible. Still, challenges and short-term changes (during your stay) are not uncommon, necessary and not foreseeable in advance!
All participants must bring their own warm and weather-resistant clothing and shoes. On the dog sled tours, we are at the mercy of the weather and it can get cold, despite appropriate clothing. Please transport all sensitive equipment such as cameras in water-resistant and shock-resistant bags or cases. All participants are responsible for their equipment for the entire duration of their journey!
Tips for the tour:
- The national languages are East-Greenlandic and Danish. Some people
understand and speak English. - The currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). The price level is high. Credit cards
(especially VISA) are generally accepted. Customers are very often asked for
a PIN. One Euro roughly equals 7,50 Danish Kroner, one £ = 10 to 11 DKK
and one $ = 6 to 7 DKK. - The time zone is GMT -3 (CET -4).
- Visa requirements vary by nationality. No visa is required for EU and US visitors.
- Electric appliances use European standard voltage (230 V) and plugs (types
C and F). - Unfortunately, as in many parts of the world, alcoholism is a problem also in
East Greenland, which is why there is to buy only beer and wine in supermarkets
and available at the hotel bar. You are allowed to bring liquors (within the allowed
quota). However, you cannot consume it at any public areas of the hotel. - There are wonderful souvenirs to shop. Nevertheless, a part of this craft art may
not be carried out from Greenland. For example if narwhal tooth or walrus’s tusk
was processed. - We strongly encourage complete insurance coverage (travel cancellation
insurance, diving accident insurance, international health insurance, possibly
also baggage insurance and camera equipment insurance).
Are your interested in an expedition with us?
Inquire nowImportant Information – Diving
As this is a real expedition every participant should be clear in her/his mind about that. This tour is not for counting the number of the dives, nor is it guaranteed if and how many sharks we will see!
We plan to dive with Greenland sharks, maybe near icebergs bounded in the pack ice and under ice in the Arctic. The visibility to be expected is about 20 to 70 metres (65 to 230 ft), or even more – often the water is crystal clear at this time of year.
Training requirements:
– experienced cold water diver
– at least 20 logged dry-suit-dives in the last 2 years
– ice diving or full cave certification needed!
For the diving steel tanks with DIN twin valves (200 bar) with 12 and 15 litres of volume, as well as smaller pony bottles are available, just as weights in various sizes.
We don’t rent out any equipment. All divers need to be familiar with their equipment and be able to handle it under those arctic conditions.
The dives under ice will be with safety line guidance and in buddy teams, as well as in open water when diving from the ice edge. From the boat diving without line is save, usually. A dry diving suit is essential, as well as two separate regulators. The depth limit is 15m/50ft because of the risk of freezing regulators. The water temperatures vary between -1°C and -3°C (26°F to 30°F).
Extremely warm under suits, thermo underwear, or a heating west are necessary. Also, we have to get the dry suit on and off on the ice / at the dive site between the dives, which is why the clothes which are worn under the dry suit should be suited for wearing it the whole day.
Every participant must be able to prove about experiences with dives under closed ice. Also, a certain physical fitness is demanded with this tour.
We do dives under ice where special safety rules have to be followed. These safety regulations will be explained before the dive and individually referring to the respective dive. Oxygen equipment is available during the whole trip.
With experience from
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